Snowboard boot clip

ABSTRACT

A non-locking boot clip, mountable on a snowboard, is provided. The clip permits a user to quickly, easily, and reversibly stabilize an unbound snowboard boot to the snowboard. The clip comprises a base and a retainer. The retainer is preferably cantilevered over the snowboard for easy clipping and unclipping of a boot to the clip. The clip preferably includes an adhesive layer to permit retrofitting of the clip to an existing snowboard so that the clip may be placed on the snowboard as desired by a user. Alternatively, a combination conventional mount and reversible mounting clip may be used.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a snowboard bootretaining device and, more particularly, to a non-binding boot clipdevice suitable for use on a snowboard and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As a new sport, snowboarding is growing dramatically inpopularity and participation as well as attracting scores of newboarders. As a result, a large number of new snowboarders are consideredbeginners, and such beginners find the sport difficult when bound to theski board using conventional snowboard bindings as known in the art.Such conventional snowboard bindings are even more difficult to use whena beginner's feet are disengaged from the binding system, as requiredwhen using a chairlift.

[0003] Typically, upon exiting a chairlift, one encounters a downhillslope with a sharp turn required to clear the landing area for the nextchairlift occupants. This poses a significant challenge for the novicesnowboarder and often results in unsafe falls, congestion of ski-lifts,and general dissatisfaction of the snowboarder as well as other skiers.In addition, a significant percentage of the snowboard related kneeinjuries occur due to hyper-rotation of the knee joint secondary tofalls while one boot is unbound, as when exiting the chairlift.Currently, no product exists that allows the snowboarder's unbound legto be quickly, easily, and reversibly coupled to the snowboard whenpreparing to exit the chairlift, or while on unstable footing.

[0004] The present invention satisfies the need to quickly, easily, andreversibly stabilize an unbound snowboard boot by utilizing anon-locking boot clip apparatus. The prior art teaches variousmechanisms for securely binding the boot to the snowboard in a mannerthat requires some form of interlocking mechanism or multi-straptensioning system. These systems are designed to function as tightlycoupled bindings to be used during active snowboarding. Each of theknown snowboard bindings known in the art requires the snowboarder tocarefully place the snowboard boot into the interlocking receptacle orstrap system while on the flat or stable snow surface. Essential to eachof the known bindings is a locking or secure binding system whichsupports the entire boot and its motion in all directions, and requiressome form of user manual intervention to engage or disengage. No knownbinding exists for a snowboard quick entry and quick exit system thatcan be engaged and disengaged without the need for hand interaction or astable footing.

[0005] The present invention is not intended to replace a snowboard'sexisting binding system, but rather to supplement its use, as shown anddescribed below in greater detail. The present invention, or boot clipdevice, is attached adjacent to the existing snowboard binding system.Typical use allows the snowboarder to quickly and easily slide hisunbound snowboard boot into the boot clip when exiting the chair lift.The user then glides to a safe area with stable footing and slides hisboot out of the boot clip. The snowboarder then prepares to attach theunbound boot to the snowboard binding system. One embodiment of thecurrent invention is a simple, one-piece design that is attached to thesnowboard via peel and stick adhesive pads, thus allowing for auniversal adaptability and quick assembly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INTVENTION

[0006] As described above, the invention solves several current problemsand offers several unique solutions. The present invention mainlycomprises a substantially rigid, one-piece hook extending above thesnowboard, allowing the snowboarder to quickly and easily couple anunbound snowboard boot while on unstable surfaces. This innovationallows safe and efficient chair lift landings for snowboarders. The clipof the present invention is a low cost, simple design that can bemounted and retrofitted to existing snowboards with no special tools ormodifications.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide asystem for temporarily 25 coupling and uncoupling a snowboarding boot toa snowboard without user interaction other than a simple foot maneuver.

[0008] It is also the object of this invention to supplement existingsnowboard boot binding systems and not replace their functionality as apermanent boot binding.

[0009] In summary, the present invention provides a system for rapidcoupling and uncoupling of a snowboard boot that can be utilized via asimple foot motion. These and other objects of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowboard with conventionalbinding systems in place and the clip of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention showing thepositioning of the clip of this invention on a snowboard.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a side, elevation view of the clip of this inventionmounted on a snowboard.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment ofthe invention wherein the boot clip of the invention is mounted inconjunction with, rather than adjacent to, a convention binding on asnowboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, a typical snowboard configuration consists ofa snowboard 10, with two boot bindings 12 situated at the front and backof the snowboard. The bindings 12 are well known in the art and areshown in the drawing figures in simplified form to focus more on theinvention. Prior art teaches that the binding mechanism and design mayvary, with two principle design concepts, either lock-in bindings thatrequire manual mechanical release or strap-in bindings that requiretensioning and relaxation of the binding straps. The present inventiondoes not eliminate the boot bindings 12 known in the art, but rathercomprises a clip 14, preferably positioned at the rear of the snowboard,adjacent to the rear binding. The clip 14 may be positioned at otherlocations on the surface of the snowboard depending on snowboarder footpreference and riding style. As shown in FIG. 1, the clip 14 may bepositioned off the centerline of the snowboard and immediately forwardof the rear binding of the snowboard, or elsewhere on the snowboard atthe preference of the user.

[0015] The clip may also be mounted such that it is integral or layeredwith an existing boot binding system, and mounted in a fashion such thatthe binding is installed directly on top of the invention, as shown inFIG. 4. The clip of the present invention may be adapted to each bindingproduct introduced into the marketplace, such that integral or layeredmounting is simplified.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of theinvention comprises two basic components. A base 16 is constructed withan optional adhesive coating 19 on the underside of the base 16, and anon-stick or corrugated upper surface 18. The second component is aretainer 20, which functions to releasably couple the boot to thesnowboard and allow limited boot motion. The combination of the non-skidsurface, downward tension and lateral stabilization of the boot clipapplied to the snowboard boot limits boot motion. Typical use of theinvention is initiated by sliding the unbound snowboard boot into theboot retainer and twisting the foot into a comfortable position. Nextthe snowboarder may apply toe and heel pressure to the snowboard astransmitted by the boot clip.

[0017] The retainer is firmly affixed to the snowboard 10 at one edge ofthe base 16 or even directly to the snowboard. The retainer furtherdefines a distal end 22 which is not affixed to the board, so that theuser may easily slip a boot into the clip. The retainer is formed of asemi-rigid material so that downward pressure is exerted on the user'sboot and transferred to the surface 18. Preferably, the retainer definesan arced body 24 in between the mount and the distal end to conform tothe shape of a boot.

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates another feature of the invention. Referringfirst to FIG. 1, the arced body is illustrated as extending generallyalong the long axis of the snowboard 10. Alternatively, and at thepreference of the user, the arced body 24, as shown in FIG. 4, mayextend laterally of the longitudinal axis of the snowboard 10. For thisreason, the distal end 22 preferably includes a smoothly arcingundersurface to easily receive a boot that is thrust into the clip.Other users may find it easier to thrust the aft boot into the laterallyextending clip illustrated in FIG. 1. It should also be appreciated thatthe clip may be made vertically adjustable to accommodate various sizesof snowboarding boots.

[0019] While this invention has been described as having preferreddesign, it is understood that it is capable of further modification,uses and adaptations following in general the principle of the inventionand including such departures from the present disclosure as come withinknown or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains,and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fallwithin the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A clip adapted to be mounted on a snowboard, the clipcomprising: a. a base defining an bottom surface and a top surface, thebottom surface adapted for mounting on a top surface of a snowboard; andb. a retainer firmly affixed to the snowboard and defining a distal endvertically displaced from the plane of the base.
 2. The clip of claim 1,wherein the retainer is affixed to the snowboard through the base. 3.The clip of claim 1, wherein the retainer is affixed to the snowboard ata mount.
 4. The clip of claim 3, wherein the retainer defines an arcedbody between the mount and the distal end.
 5. The clip of claim 1,wherein the retainer is formed of a semi-rigid material in order toaccommodate different sizes of boots.
 6. The clip of claim 1, furthercomprising a knurled surface on the top surface of the base.
 7. The clipof claim 1, further comprising an adhesive backing on the base formounting to the snowboard.
 8. The clip of claim 1, wherein the snowboarddefines an axis and further wherein the retainer extends parallel to theaxis of the snowboard.
 9. The clip of claim 1, wherein the snowboarddefines an axis and further wherein the retainer extends perpendicularto the axis of the snowboard.
 10. The clip of claim 1, wherein the baseextends beneath a binding on the snowboard.